Tiger 800xc - 150 Mile test ride

crazyman · 10-01-2011, 12:58 PM

I got to take an '11 XC, non ABS, for a very nice test ride today. I'm looking to sell my Rocket III Touring and get something more along the lines of an adventure / sport touring type bike.

This is a dealer demo bike, so it's already broken in. IT's had it's first service. It also has a few accessories: gel seats, headlight protector and the mounts for the factory panniers already installed.

I set off this morning along my familiar routes. Lots of country two lane and a bit of highway. I did also manage to ride it for a few miles on a forest service road which was dirt, gravel and a mix of some old tarmac.
First off, the riding position suits me fine. I'm 6' tall with a 32" inseam. The seat was a low gel seat on the highest setting and I felt quite comfortable. The bars are great width for me. Although they are a little bit of a reach. It might be something that I need to adjust to, or I'll get some risers if I do get this bike.

The shifter is terrific ! Very solid and certain. Not heavy, but very precise. I quickly adapted to the shifting.

I had read elsewhere that the 21" front tire was affecting the handling a bit. I didn't notice any odd handling problems. Look, lean, and go. Simple as that. At slow speed (parking lot) this bike is a joy compared with the massive Rocket III. Handling is light and precise. Exactly what I want.

Some others have also mentioned concerns with the screen. I got no buffeting at all with the stock screen. It was a very breezy day too, so I had plenty of opportunity to get blasted by cross winds. I think I might opt for the 'touring' screen the Triumph offer. Or perhaps some other aftermarket one.

Power. Plenty. 6th gear overtakes are not a problem. I did downshift for a few of them. This bike is very quick.

I spent the next four hours just riding and enjoying myself. I went back to the shop and negotiated with the dealer about a deal. Details are being worked on, but I think I've found my bike......

high dangler · 10-01-2011, 01:04 PM

i hope you get it crazy because I love mine .
I only have a few hundred miles on mine but the few concerns I had about this bike beforehand were really nothing .
You are correct about the windscreen ,no buffeting at all,and I wouldnt change a thing with it.
These tall adventure bikes are all new to me but I think im going to really enjoy em.

crazyman · 10-01-2011, 01:39 PM

I hope I do too. The bike is already discounted a lot. Plus I get the "Thank A Hero" rebate from Triumph. And, the accessories I want, the dealer has in hand. He's offered big discounts on them too. This is too good a deal to pass up.

ThomasVolomitz · 10-01-2011, 01:46 PM

I just bought one Sept 20th. Best bike I have ever had, and I have had quite a few. It does everything well from the highway to the gravel to the mud. Even with stock tires. I bought the ABS model and couldn't be more satisfied.
Ever since the magazine cover last fall I knew one was in the future.

Good luck, you won't regret buying this bike.

Midpack · 10-02-2011, 07:38 AM

WOW! How did you snag a long test ride like that?

Kawidad · 10-02-2011, 07:42 AM

Saweet!

crazyman · 10-02-2011, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack

WOW! How did you snag a long test ride like that?

It all depends on the dealer. I asked him if there was a limit to how long or how far I could go. He more or less told me to have it back by the end of the day. So I did

Snapper · 10-02-2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack

WOW! How did you snag a long test ride like that?

If you're serious, and the dealer knows it, you can get the same. 3 out 4 of my last bikes I got 100+ test rides. The 4th, the Tiger, I only 75. Put another way, any bike I've ridden over 50 miles, I've bought.

Hell, you need 100 miles to get a proper evaluation. 20 to get back to favorite local twisties that you know really well, 20 to get over the weirdness of a different bike and scrub the tires in to the edge, 40 to REALLY test the bike and get a good feel, and 20 to get back to the dealer.

crazyman · 10-06-2011, 04:38 AM

I've been told by the dealer that there is a very interested buyer for my Rocket III. The man has seen my bike and definitely wants it.
I've also gotten the financing for the remainder of the balance on the Tiger 800. All I'm waiting for is to find out what service the Rocket needs before being sold (it has some issues with the clutch).

So it looks as I'm on my way to having a new bike !

danketchpel · 10-06-2011, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy-rocket

I set off this morning along my familiar routes. Lots of country two lane and a bit of highway. I did also manage to ride it for a few miles on a forest service road which was dirt, gravel and a mix of some old tarmac.

Very cool.

Can you elaborate more on how it worked for you in the various riding conditions?

What did you NOT like about the bike?

crazyman · 10-06-2011, 04:50 PM

I rode mostly urban traffic for a while, then out into some twisty (for Florida) country roads. The 21" front wheel does take a bit more effort to turn, but I adapted very quickly. Given that this bike is a middle weight, it did get blown around a bit. It was also a very breezy day. Lots of cross winds. Even with that, this bike was very smooth and composed. I didn't feel like I would get blasted off the road.

Rougher roads were actually fun. The longer travel suspension made quick work of the ruts, potholes, and patches in the road surface. On a cruiser, I would have slowed way down and dreaded the bumpy sections. Not so on the Tiger.

I rode a forest service road for about 8 miles. I intentionally gave it more throttle to see how it handled the sand, gravel and dried mud. Again, I would not have ridden on those roads on a cruiser. The Tiger handled very well for my limited experience with dirt roads. I felt very comfortable after a few minutes..... even stood on the pegs to let the bike move where it was going to. I'm looking forward to doing more off pavement riding.

Most of my riding experience is on cruisers, so I can't compare to sport bikes or other bike types. I've ridden some sport tourers, but have near zero experience off road.
I do ride a lot, about 80k miles in the last 4 years. Very few of those miles were on anything other than smooth pavement.

And that 800cc motor is very quick. The torque is delivered smooth and across most of the rpm range. I found sixth gear overtakes were easy.
As for what I didn't like.... I can really think of anything that couldn't be changed with some farkling. Most every bike needs some mods done to fit the rider. I'm impressed there are as many aftermarket items for this bike as there are.

flyfishbc · 10-06-2011, 07:27 PM

I just got mine, a 2012 abs, on sept.27. I love it. Go for it, they're awesome. Like you said, I can't really think of anything I don;t like about it, maybe, a little bigger fuel tank. the aftermarket goodies make the rest. cheers

mine was also a demo bike.had 1012 km on it.

10-01-2011, 12:58 PM	#1
crazyman ^OP Exiled to the swamp Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Crystal Beach, FL Oddometer: 922	Tiger 800xc - 150 Mile test ride I got to take an '11 XC, non ABS, for a very nice test ride today. I'm looking to sell my Rocket III Touring and get something more along the lines of an adventure / sport touring type bike. This is a dealer demo bike, so it's already broken in. IT's had it's first service. It also has a few accessories: gel seats, headlight protector and the mounts for the factory panniers already installed. I set off this morning along my familiar routes. Lots of country two lane and a bit of highway. I did also manage to ride it for a few miles on a forest service road which was dirt, gravel and a mix of some old tarmac. First off, the riding position suits me fine. I'm 6' tall with a 32" inseam. The seat was a low gel seat on the highest setting and I felt quite comfortable. The bars are great width for me. Although they are a little bit of a reach. It might be something that I need to adjust to, or I'll get some risers if I do get this bike. The shifter is terrific ! Very solid and certain. Not heavy, but very precise. I quickly adapted to the shifting. I had read elsewhere that the 21" front tire was affecting the handling a bit. I didn't notice any odd handling problems. Look, lean, and go. Simple as that. At slow speed (parking lot) this bike is a joy compared with the massive Rocket III. Handling is light and precise. Exactly what I want. Some others have also mentioned concerns with the screen. I got no buffeting at all with the stock screen. It was a very breezy day too, so I had plenty of opportunity to get blasted by cross winds. I think I might opt for the 'touring' screen the Triumph offer. Or perhaps some other aftermarket one. Power. Plenty. 6th gear overtakes are not a problem. I did downshift for a few of them. This bike is very quick. I spent the next four hours just riding and enjoying myself. I went back to the shop and negotiated with the dealer about a deal. Details are being worked on, but I think I've found my bike...... __________________ '11 Triumph Tiger 800XC Just keep ridin'

10-01-2011, 01:39 PM	#3
crazyman ^OP Exiled to the swamp Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Crystal Beach, FL Oddometer: 922	I hope I do too. The bike is already discounted a lot. Plus I get the "Thank A Hero" rebate from Triumph. And, the accessories I want, the dealer has in hand. He's offered big discounts on them too. This is too good a deal to pass up. __________________ '11 Triumph Tiger 800XC Just keep ridin'

10-01-2011, 01:46 PM	#4
ThomasVolomitz Not so Gnarly Joined: Aug 2010 Location: DDR c/o Honecker Oddometer: 3,973	I just bought one Sept 20th. Best bike I have ever had, and I have had quite a few. It does everything well from the highway to the gravel to the mud. Even with stock tires. I bought the ABS model and couldn't be more satisfied. Ever since the magazine cover last fall I knew one was in the future. Good luck, you won't regret buying this bike. __________________ Doo Done

10-02-2011, 07:38 AM	#5
Midpack Adventurer Joined: Jun 2010 Location: Las Cruces, NM Oddometer: 82	150 mile test ride? WOW! How did you snag a long test ride like that?

10-02-2011, 07:42 AM	#6
Kawidad Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Central Coast, Cal Oddometer: 3,804	Saweet! __________________ "Deeply flawed people make deeply flawed decisions."

10-01-2011, 01:04 PM	#2
high dangler Studly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2011 Location: pa. Oddometer: 535	i hope you get it crazy because I love mine . I only have a few hundred miles on mine but the few concerns I had about this bike beforehand were really nothing . You are correct about the windscreen ,no buffeting at all,and I wouldnt change a thing with it. These tall adventure bikes are all new to me but I think im going to really enjoy em.

10-06-2011, 04:38 AM	#9
crazyman ^OP Exiled to the swamp Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Crystal Beach, FL Oddometer: 922	I've been told by the dealer that there is a very interested buyer for my Rocket III. The man has seen my bike and definitely wants it. I've also gotten the financing for the remainder of the balance on the Tiger 800. All I'm waiting for is to find out what service the Rocket needs before being sold (it has some issues with the clutch). So it looks as I'm on my way to having a new bike ! __________________ '11 Triumph Tiger 800XC Just keep ridin'

10-06-2011, 04:50 PM	#11
crazyman ^OP Exiled to the swamp Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Crystal Beach, FL Oddometer: 922	I rode mostly urban traffic for a while, then out into some twisty (for Florida) country roads. The 21" front wheel does take a bit more effort to turn, but I adapted very quickly. Given that this bike is a middle weight, it did get blown around a bit. It was also a very breezy day. Lots of cross winds. Even with that, this bike was very smooth and composed. I didn't feel like I would get blasted off the road. Rougher roads were actually fun. The longer travel suspension made quick work of the ruts, potholes, and patches in the road surface. On a cruiser, I would have slowed way down and dreaded the bumpy sections. Not so on the Tiger. I rode a forest service road for about 8 miles. I intentionally gave it more throttle to see how it handled the sand, gravel and dried mud. Again, I would not have ridden on those roads on a cruiser. The Tiger handled very well for my limited experience with dirt roads. I felt very comfortable after a few minutes..... even stood on the pegs to let the bike move where it was going to. I'm looking forward to doing more off pavement riding. Most of my riding experience is on cruisers, so I can't compare to sport bikes or other bike types. I've ridden some sport tourers, but have near zero experience off road. I do ride a lot, about 80k miles in the last 4 years. Very few of those miles were on anything other than smooth pavement. And that 800cc motor is very quick. The torque is delivered smooth and across most of the rpm range. I found sixth gear overtakes were easy. As for what I didn't like.... I can really think of anything that couldn't be changed with some farkling. Most every bike needs some mods done to fit the rider. I'm impressed there are as many aftermarket items for this bike as there are. __________________ '11 Triumph Tiger 800XC Just keep ridin' crazyman screwed with this post 10-06-2011 at 04:55 PM

10-06-2011, 07:27 PM	#12
flyfishbc Adventurer Joined: Jul 2011 Location: Smithers B.C Oddometer: 44	I just got mine, a 2012 abs, on sept.27. I love it. Go for it, they're awesome. Like you said, I can't really think of anything I don;t like about it, maybe, a little bigger fuel tank. the aftermarket goodies make the rest. cheersmine was also a demo bike.had 1012 km on it.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode